THE REAL RONALDO (4) didn’t have a lot of luck last start and gets the tongue tie on as he steps out to the mile. A big tick is Brad Stewart taking the ride and he should be able to park either outside the leader or just in behind them. LUCKY CAPTAIN (1) ran really well on the heavy track last start and should relish the mile. FORTUNATELY (5) has had two runs in Queensland and looks closer to being in the finish here. RED PHANTOM (3) will appreciate being back on a firmer surface but the wide gate is tricky.

We’ve got a really interesting first starter here with Sydney trainer Gary Moore bringing DE LADY DELUXE (6) north for her debut. She ran second to debut winner Satin Slipper at her first trial then won stylishly in a trial at the Gold Coast. With blinkers on for her debut it’s a fair indication they are here to win. We got a good guide on I DREAM OF GREEN (3) with the run of Ef Troop at Doomben yesterday. He finished nicely in a trial but was thrashed by that runner who won nicely in the city. DANCING DIVA (5) has been friendless in betting at her two starts but ran ok behind the smart Hopes Eternal last start. Hard to say too much about the others unseen at trials but obviously wary of the strong stable representatives of John Zielke with GRAND DE LAGO (1) and Robert Heathcote with HOT SOCK (2).

Former Singapore galloper KEYSTONE (1) slipped under the guard of punters at his Australian debut but I’m sure that won’t be the case this time. He was quick out of the gates and strong as he fended off his rivals in the straight. I can only see improvement from that first-up performance and this is certainly not much tougher. BEBADO (5) didn’t handle the wet track last start and should improve from a perfect draw. CLANG AGAIN (7) has been taking on some better gallopers and should get the run of the race behind the first couple. MYSTYKO (3) has a solid first-up record and races well here.

Selections: 1-5-7-3

Betting strategy: Keystone should be hard to beat but I’m a little concerned he might not get the lead as easy as he did last time. I’d want at least $4 to be backing him.

I’m hoping the initial trip to the races has helped CELEBRATION DAY (3) get his mind on the job this time. He was very green on debut when they backed him heavily into favourite. The step up in trip will also be in his favour but Brad Stewart will have to be at his best from gate 12. The blinkers go on CORNFORTH (1) in a bid to sharpen him up and score his first win at his 11th try. MAGIC LAD (4) is bursting to win a race and gets the gun run from pole position. BLONDE BY CHOICE (6) ran well here last start and put in a nice trial in preparation for this race.

Selections: 3-1-4-6

Betting strategy: Punters will likely put their faith in the blinkers doing the trick for Cornforth and he’ll likely start short. I’m keen on Celebration Day and we should snare an each-way price.

EMPEVEE (4) looks ready to show something out the mile. He has a tendency to miss the start but it might not be a huge issue with a lot early pace engaged here. TENNESSEE FLING (5) has been close-up in four runs since coming to Queensland from NSW and is another who will relish the early speed up front. PRESSWAY (7) is flying this preparation but it took a wet track for him to break through last start. STRIKE SIKA (8) will run a strong mile while IRONBORN (6) didn’t have much luck last start.

Despite an awkward draw and a big step up in grade, it shouldn’t be enough to stop SUGGAN BUGGAN (7) winning this. He was electric first-up winning softly on the heavy track. While he has never seen a good track, I’d be surprised if it was any concern. SHE’S WORTHY (8) has put in three neat runs this prep but the drop back to 1200m is intriguing. STONECAST (9) resumed on an unsuitable wet track so it could pay to forgive him. VICTORY EIGHT (3) is building a good record, especially at this track and ran well first-up behind the flying Tarzan.

Selections: 7-3-9-8

Betting strategy: The ease of Suggan Buggan’s last start win was there for all to see but I still think we might get $3+ for him given this is a much tougher race. I think he’ll win but I’d want at least $3.

There was no money for AIRLIE MAN (3) first-up and although he was beaten a long way he didn’t have much room early on and lost his spot. From barrier two he gets the gun run and will run on late. NORTHERN DIVINE (4) has ran well behind some handy gallopers - including last start behind Chamalu when he lost a plate. He will go forward from a wide gate and be in this for a long time. ROCKING MY WORLD (9) didn’t have much room last start and finally draws a better barrier.

WHODUNNIT (2) ran well last start behind Pressway but the wide gate will make things difficult.FAST TRICK (7) was caught wide last start as favourite at Rockhampton but ran well.

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Loves Qld racing, in particular the 10 meetings every Saturday in the Sunshine State. Got hooked on the punt after accidentally adding a zero to Cox Plate bet on Maldivian. Favourite horse: Maldivian 🏇